Contax Zeiss 35-70 f/3.4 MMJ First Impressions + Footage (Sony FX3 + Canon C70)

My latest Contax Zeiss pickup. Finally got a zoom lens, it's pretty convenient! Here's my experience with it so far
Hope you enjoy, cheers
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►Chapters
»0:00 - Intro
»0:18 - Why A Zoom Lens
»2:31 - Modding
»4:16 - Interjection
»8:13 - Image Quality
»9:10 - Workflow
»12:50 - Outro
»13:40 - Sample Footage
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#contaxzeiss #sonyfx3 #canonc70

[@sakhiwomthunzi]

This is so crazy, I've been contemplating this lens since earlier last week, only for you to make a video about it. Excited to check it out.

[@thomas.kovacik]

haha so nuts! It's a great lens

[@dukebozikowski3801]

This lens is goated! Footage at the end was so good!

[@thomas.kovacik]

it really is! Appreciate it! Really happy with the lens

[@raksh9]

The footage from the Sigma 24-70 and the subsequent Contax Vario footage shows everything. Even though it's not the same scene at all, you can see how the Sigma has a very clean 'perfect' look where everything has rich microcontrast, whereas the Contax has sharpness but a kind of organic look that the Sigma lacks. Thanks for all the test footage from the Zeiss, it's a tempting proposition, especially if you already have, or are thinking of building, a Zeiss prime set. I just wonder how well the Contax would cut with the Zeiss Classic primes.

[@RobinParmar]

Excellent coverage of all the practical issues associated with using such a lens. Rather than impose your own view, you are letting your audience decide, based on the pros and cons. Very few reviewers do that any more. For me the push-pull design, rotating front ring, and IBIS problems count against using such a zoom. But I love my Zeiss primes (28/2, 50/1.4, 85/2.8). P.S. Great footage too!

[@BrentMcCarron]

Loving your content lately. Also loving the Union hoodie

[@thomas.kovacik]

appreciate it! haha always have to rep the best

[@FilmedByHendrix]

I owned this lens for awhile and regret getting rid of it. Easily the sharpest and most clean CZ that was in my kit. I have put it up against the 24-85 that my buddy owned. It is nowhere near as good. I can’t recommend even with the extra range. Great video. Love to see the CZs in action. They are my favorite thing to shoot with.

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

Such a good review! So thorough 👌

[@thomas.kovacik]

appreciate it!

[@dpixvid]

Totally agree about the 35-70! I have barrel drift on mine...

[@vuhlandes]

I have to check one of these out soon. Looks so good

[@thomas.kovacik]

Heck yeah, you'd love them! There's loads of great lenses to choose from

[@caffeinatedcameras]

Your stuff always looks so damn good man.

[@thomas.kovacik]

appreciate it!

[@svenwolt]

Thanks for this video and the info about the usability with VND's!

[@thomas.kovacik]

Course! The polarizer / VND issue is a bummer forsure

[@jaymontie]

wow thanks i have been a yashica user and i got this lens and i didnt know that u have to turn further the lens for the macro function now i find this lens more awesome lol thank you thank you thank you

[@thomas.kovacik]

pretty fun right? thanks for watching!

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

The Contax Zeiss & Leica 'R' lens are phenomenal value for the price and produce breathtaking image quality on Sony mirrorless cameras.

[@thomas.kovacik]

can't agree more. These lenses really make the sony sensors come alive! I have a tough time shooting on modern glass with my fx3 bc of these lenses

[@kevinhall5199]

Hi Thomas, the flare is most likely the Canon 0.71 adaptor. It's a problem even with Canon L series lenses. Try the lens on your Sony FX3 and see if you still get the weird flares.

[@firehorseweddingphotograph3995]

Urth Contax to EF mount adapter + Fotodiox EF to L Mount adapter with built in VND + any L Mount body with their exceptional video options (such as S1H or S5ii which are the pair I use) and excellent IBIS. Custom settings C1 for 35mm, C2 for 50mm and C3 for 70mm. Plus shutter angle, waveform monitor and even Braw if you want/need it!

[@MartinYernazian]

That's Harry from Camera Max! My dad used to work there! That place is the shangrila of camera/lens repairs!

[@YOUAREMYKIN]

Wow, I’m sold. Q: does the focal reducer add 1 stop of bokeh, or does just give back the bokeh that super 35 takes away from full frame?

[@suyogmarlecha4466]

Absolutely love this lens. Got it 15 days back. The Zeiss pop is fascinating. I did attach a follow focus as it really helps and bought a fixed ND filter. For the focal length...just consider this as 3 primes in one. I would not consider the 28-85 as it does not has the same optical quality as this zoom or other Contax zeiss primes.

[@thomas.kovacik]

it's so good! do you just have the focus gear for pulling focus by hand? I tend to do that with my primes but it felt odd on this lens since the focus pad area is so large hah

[@TastyPrism]

28-85 is also a good lens.

[@jarodbleijerveld]

I dont think ill ever get lenses like these but I love these videos lol.

[@thomas.kovacik]

haha I love it I'm the same way, I watch pretty much anything even if I dont plan on buying it hah

[@toneohm]

the push/pull zoom is so neat.. too bad about the spinning barrel.. : / i've been building up a set of PL mounted Contax Zeiss HFT lenses and Jena lenses recently,,, I think I can call it quits after getting the 28/2 , 25/2.8, and/or the 21/2.8 .... I may just find one of them for PL and maybe start an EF set or something for the other focal lengths.. right now, I have a gap from 16/2.8 to 35/1.4 for my HFTs... and for the Jenas.. 20/2.8 to 35/2.4 ... so it would be nice to find a 25/2.8 or 28/2 for the HFT set.. since the 21 wasn't made in HFT... ( and is one of the more expensive lenses) I might skip that focal length.. which is unfortunate.. because I here its the best, along with the 35/1.4 and 28/2 .. my 35 and 85 have the triangular bokeh,, that's why I like HFT so much.. only Zeiss lenses other than the Super Speeds to actually have that!

[@aurynvonderkuste1707]

The Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 (C/Y) is the most underrated Contax Zeiss lenses. It is very affordable. Colors and Contrast are the same compared to other Contax Zeiss lenses. It has an aspherical element 🙂 I'm using it with a 45 Megapixel camera. Maybe you give it a try.

[@alansarpy]

Hey Thomas , I just picked this lens up for my fX 3 . I have the 28 and 55 already .. I'm just wondering what is your preferred way to focus on a sunny day when not using a monitor? I feel like the focus peaking hardly shows up when using the Contax lenses compared to my modern Sony Lenses... I do love the look that Contax gives ! to me the look of the images just completely feel like they are shot on a different camera !

[@thomas.kovacik]

hey! I really like pulling focus on the lcd screen with peaking- I'll swap between red and blue depending on the scenes yeah these contax lenses really make the fx3 come alive!

[@djmarzek]

great video mate ! im suscribing!

[@thomas.kovacik]

appreciate it!

[@TheArtistConnection]

Amazing video as always. I’m considering picking up an FX3 to go along with my C70. I’m curious if you are using your cameras as more of an A cam B cam situation. Or picking up a specific camera based on your projects?

[@thomas.kovacik]

Appreciate it! They're both amazing cameras that are at the top of their respective segments I rarely use it as an A/B setup unless for KZbin. This video among the many since buying the c70 have been filmed with both. I'll cycle through which one to use for AROLL and I use both for BROLL, just depends hah But for all of my client work- the default pick is the c70, unless I have a travel shoot or something where I need a small and nimble kit, then I'll grab the fx3. I also have the fx3 for jobs where shooting sony is ideal, I have loads of friends who are in the sony ecosystem so it makes it easier for them to bring me in haha

[@TheArtistConnection]

@@thomas.kovacik Awesome, thank you for the insight and for taking the time to respond🤙

[@jeremyleetaylor]

Great stuff! Your colors and exposure are always fantastic! Do you find yourself shooting primarily RAW with the C70? Wondering how you limit micro-jitters when you're running a stripped down kit - especially with your primes - when there's no IS in RAW.

[@thomas.kovacik]

Appreciate it! Yep for all of my client work I shoot in RAW LT, for KZbin and stuff I'm normally in XF-AVC long gop I never use the IS on the c70, I've shot handheld for years so I've had plenty of practice on smaller setups. But for client shoots having a heavier kit does help out even more hah

[@jeremyleetaylor]

@@thomas.kovacik awesome! Thanks for the reply, appreciate it!

[@mortenthesbl5535]

Great review - I have the same lens for photography and really like it. I think its sharper than the 28-85mm - its supposed to be the best zoom from Contax Zeiss.

[@thomas.kovacik]

so rad, it's a great lens! Yeah I heard the same, love it!

[@mortenthesbl5535]

@@thomas.kovacik Have the Minolta 35-70mm to test soon. Its very cheap but should be good. looking forward to see how it compares.

[@aabenbareren]

Lens tests after the introduction of this zoom lens showed that the sharpness, contrast and other key performances were on par with any of the Contact Zeiss primes of the same focal range (only the opening aperture was a bit smaller).

[@DanielAx]

I own both the 35-70mm and the 28-85mm. The 35-70mm is unbeatable for the size and the amazing macro mode, but I tend to pick up the 28-85mm more often for the extra wide end. There is also a 35-135mm which I haven't used. It's huge, but that would be an awesome range if you have the right setup for it. Maybe I can get my hands on a copy one day... :)

[@pizzomedia7261]

Do you a lens support when using the 28-85? Do you have an e-mount? It doesn’t seem necessary to use a lens support with the 28-85. Any thoughts or advice?

[@DanielAx]

@@pizzomedia7261 I use the 28-85 without any support on my A/ iv with an adapter - no issues.

[@pizzomedia7261]

@@DanielAx thanks. How do you get around the lens barrel rotation when focusing and using a VND or what’s your solution? I have a Minolta lens that does this and I can’t use it with a screw on nd, it’s impossible not to see a shift in the image and I also see the reflection of the vnd while focusing. Seems like this lens has the same issue and can only be used on a camera with internal nds or matte box filters. Any advice? Thanks

[@DanielAx]

@@pizzomedia7261 I haven't noticed any shifts when focusing yet (using a B&W Vario ND), but I'll look out for it in the future!

[@TheJ_G]

I’ve owned all 3 of these zooms. And the 35-135 is the best value of the bunch because of its reach and image quality; But it’s also the heaviest by a lot. I’d say its image quality is closer to the 35-70, which I think is better than the 28-85. It’s really hard to beat the 35-70 though because of how compact it is. And it’s definitely the sharpest of the bunch. Almost clinical for the time it was released. So these days it has a very interesting clinical-vintage blend.

[@zergwof]

Nice video. Just one note: You can focus in macro. The whole red area on the lens barrel is the focus range

[@thomas.kovacik]

Weird! I just tried that and it seems like it’s just passing by bc of how awful the breathing is + how bad the focusing is, maybe it works for photos but for video I’m not gonna do that haha

[@zergwof]

@@thomas.kovacik makes a lot of sense. It's definitely not the most accomplished macro, but it's nice to have it as an option.

[@DANAMIONLINE]

I'm a fan of small compact lenses. At what point after buying your vintages lenses do you purchase the equipment for modding?

[@thomas.kovacik]

same here! There's def a struggle with having the larger caps / focus gears for travel, but it's okay haha. I'm committed to 82mm for filters so it is what it is But for the purchasing- normally immediately. At first when I bought the 28 and 50, I held off for a while just because I wanted to make sure I wanted to pursue these lenses Now that I'm sold on these lenses, I'll normally buy the EF adapters right away then use a step up ring I already have, then get the nicer front ring + cap

[@davidluo_photo]

Hey thanks for the video! Do you have a link to the lens caps you have? The ones with the names of each lens. Thank you very much!

[@thomas.kovacik]

course! they're from simmod lens - Laser Engraved Rubber Lens Cap I went with 85 OD bc my front rings are 85 OD and 82 ID

[@benjhaisch]

Looks so good. I despise push pull zooms though ;)

[@thomas.kovacik]

Thanks! Yeah it’s tough haha The 28-70 has a zoom ring I think haha It’s def weird to get used to pulling focus with that design

[@BarivanFilm]

Thank you for this work. Maybe, me need 28-85 for my bmpcc 4k)

[@josiahdavidmiller]

What front ring do you use?

[@thomas.kovacik]

It's from simmod! SIGNATURE SERIES 85mm O.D. PRO SIMRING

[@pizzomedia7261]

Are you sure you need a lens support with the 28-85? Seems like a lot of people don’t use them on their sony csmeras.

[@thomas.kovacik]

I prob would bc weight + adapter but idk hah, maybe not

[@pizzomedia7261]

Yeah, really not sure. Strongly thinking about one or the other. The 85 reach is super tempting. Zoom creep and usability are my other concern with both these lenses, but some electrical tape could fix I guess. Thanks

[@pizzomedia7261]

One more question, I don’t think you mentioned if you have to use a lens hood or matte box when in the sun? You also mentioned you don't use a VND, what do you do on your FX3 then? I always have to use a matte box with my Minolta lenses and it can be a drag. Thanks!

[@mylittlelocal4757]

Dang no (easy use) ibis & have to use fixed ND’s… I actually like the idea of push pull zoom, crash in & out to get those shots… hmmmm

[@thomas.kovacik]

yeah its a tricky one forsure! I forsure got comfortable with it overtime If you rig up your camera you can really get by without IBIS, and having internal ND helps I tend to only use it on my c70 nowadays, but when I did use it on my fx3 when it was rigged up I was fine without IBIS Still a solid lens! But some compromises hah

[@sam78882]

Where can I buy a new one for my Sony FX3 not used all on eBay used can you assist and E mount for Sony fx3 .

[@thomas.kovacik]

Not sure about new, I bought used and have bought used for all of my lenses You’ll need to convert these lenses to EF then use an EF to E adapter

[@aabenbareren]

Zeiss licensed the design of this lens also to Leica, so there is an identical version for the Leica R mount.

[@TheJ_G]

My understanding is that the Leica 35-70 is a Minolta design, as are many of Leica lenses from that era.